Mitchell Nicholson
Dec 13th, 2011
ENG 4U1
Ms. Breivik
Dan Brown; A Postmodern Writer:
“Postmodernism refers to ideas, values and structures in philosophy, literature, architecture and the humanities in general; that developed in the last four decades of the twentieth century” (Harper 453). Postmodernism is a concept that represents a departure from modernism. The themes of pop culture, architecture, social order, cultural diversity, reader interactivity and growing technology are most popular in Postmodernism. Angels and Demons' plot involves the protagonist Robert Langdon travelling from the innovative physics laboratory called CERN to the ancient holy place Vatican City in search of the stolen antimatter. Throughout this adventure, there are examples of topics that require background knowledge (i.e. The Illuminati) and dangers of technology seen through the perspective of almost every dynamic character. Brown uses the literary devices of narrative structure, diction and amplification to convey the Postmodern themes of multiple points of view, growth in technology and reader interactivity. Thus ultimately proves that Brown is a prime example of a Postmodern writer.
One must be aware of the following background knowledge in order to effectively understand all topics discussed in this essay. First 'CERN' is the abbreviated word for 'Conseil Europeen pour la Recherce Nucleaire' (Brown 22). Next antimatter was created by Leonardo and Vittoria Vetra, two physicists at CERN laboratory. The purpose for why Leonardo created antimatter was to bridge the biblical creation story of Genesis and the scientific Big Bang Theory (Brown 86). In addition Robert Langdon is the protagonist, Maximillian Kohler is the CERN Director and the Camerlengo is the temporary head of the Catholic Church until a new pope can be elected. Also the reason why there is millions of people surrounding the Vatican City is because of the ongoing process called Conclave. Conclave is the Church's very strict process to elect a new Pope. All Cardinals are locked in the Sistine Chapel together until a Cardinal has a majority vote to become the new Pope. Having Conclave being conducted, it was the most opportune time for the secret society Illuminati to threaten the vulnerable Catholic Church. The Illuminati is not a terrorist group but rather a group that consisted of the brightest group of scientists alive at the time. As a cover, the Camerlengo framed the Illuminati for being responsible for antimatter threat when really it was his way of instilling Catholic faith back into the masses. The animosity between the Church and the Illuminati exists because the Church has long prosecuted the Illuminati for their sacrilegious scientific findings. Lastly the modern day problem of global warming cause by carbon emissions is in full effect in Angels and Demons. In closing, one can be more of an interactive reader when reading this essay with a thorough understanding of this background knowledge.
Through the use of narrative structure Brown has evolved the plot through most character's perspectives to show Postmodernism. Firstly the antimatter is in a helicopter, driven by the Camerlengo and Robert. The helicopter is travelling upwards as fast as possible to further the blast from the Vatican City and the millions of people surrounding it. The first point of view is from the people, as a whole, amassing around Vatican City. Followed by Vittoria who is described as standing trembling at the foot of St. Peter's Basilica's stairs (Brown 627). “Then it hit. The concussion was deep and hallow-a thunderous shock wave from above” (Brown 626). Moreover, the following chapter describes Vittoria as devastated because she believes Robert was killed by her indirectly. “Robert. He had come for her at Castle St. Angelo. He had saved her. And now he had been destroyed by her creation.” (Brown 627). Lastly through the perspective of Robert, the reader finds that he actually survives the blast. “He was no longer falling. There was no more terror. No pain. Not even the sound of racing wind. There was only the soft sound of lapping water, as though he were comfortably asleep on a beach.” (Brown 629). Through this use of narrative structure, showing the events from three different people, Brown has effectively used multiple points of view which is a prime theme of Postmodernism. In addition, through the opening 50 chapters of Angels and Demons, Brown uses the perspective of nine different characters. See Visual 1. Through analyzing the graph, it is evident that the plot gets developed through a variety of different points of view. In turn, one can infer that this fulfils a theme of Postmodernism. Lastly contrary to the Postmodern novel Angels and Demons, Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness is an example of Modern era novel. The only point of view in Heart of Darkness comes from the main character Marlow. Evidently Brown's style of writing has departed from the concept of only writing from a protagonist and/or antagonists point of view. In closing through the literary device of narrative structure, the Postmodern theme of a multiplicity of points of view is effectively communicated.
“Postmodernism sees technology either as a salvation or as an isolating, restrictive dangerous phenomenon” (Harper 455). The plot of Angels and Demons constantly shifts the understanding of antimatter from a salvation for mankind to a lethal new technology. Conversely in either case, Brown's strong word choice shows this Postmodern theme of technology. The plot begins with Vittoria introducing antimatter as a new energy source. When first described, antimatter is portrayed as something “nothing short of 'wondrous'.
When it is published, it will shake the very foundation of modern physics... He [Leonardo Vetra] proved not only that matter can be created from nothing, but that Big Bang theory
and Genesis can be explained by simply accepting the presence of an enormous energy source” (Brown 90). Fictitiously, Brown shows that this energy source could stop the constant global issue of carbon emissions. Vittoria explains how antimatter has a 100% combustion rate compared to the very inefficient current source of energy, oil's 30%. Also there is no harmful emissions released by antimatter unlike the highly polluting substance oil. Similarly to how matter has an opposite, antimatter has negatives to counter-balance it's positives. Firstly, CERN Director Kohler says “Yes if antimatter and matter make contact both are destroyed instantly. Physicists call the process 'annihilation'” (Brown 98). By the strong word choice of saying 'annihilation; the idea that antimatter in not a salvation but rather an extremely destructive technology is created. Likewise at the end of the plot, immediately after the antimatter was ignited the people's reaction is described as something equivalent to that of the witnesses of an atomic bomb or even something more dangerous. “Dust swirled overhead as people huddled... witness to 'Armageddon'” (Brown 626). Furthermore by the use of saying 'Armageddon' over simply destruction or chaos; the connection that antimatter is on the next generation of dangerous weapons is significantly strengthened. Lastly with the vast amount of references to technology, one can see a contrast to Conrad's Heart of Darkness novel and how there is hardly any references to advancements in technology (Rice). In conclusion with such diction as 'wondrous' 'annihilation' and 'Armageddon', the idea that antimatter is a new form of technology is evident. Thus proving the Postmodern theme of technology in Angels and Demons.
Lastly through the use of the literary device amplification, Brown helps the reader
grasp the Postmodern them of interactivity. A definition of interactivity is how “Postmodernist literature requires an increased level of involvement by readers in making
connections between and interpretations of the information provided” (Harper 455). A definition of the literary device amplification is “where the writer enhances the paragraphs of explanation by adding more information, in order to increase its worth and understanding. When a plain paragraph is too abrupt and fails to convey the intended message, amplification is used to add structure and meaning” (Kilpatrick). Moreover Brown compares the creation of antimatter to modern examples of opposites such as “yin” and “yang”. The purpose of this is to help the reader understand the concept of antimatter. “So antimatter is real? [Vittoria begins speaking] A feat of nature. Everything has an opposite; protons have electrons and up-quarks have down-quarks. There is even cosmic symmetry at the sub atomic level. Antimatter is the yin to matters yang. It balances the physical equation” (Brown 93-94). This quote effectively saves the reader from pursuing an explanation to why antimatter exists. Next Brown uses amplification to clear up a common misconception about the Illuminati. “A New World Order, based on scientific enlightenment. They call it their Luciferian Doctrine. The [Catholic] church claimed Lucifer was a reference to the devil, but the brotherhood [Illuminati] insisted Lucifer was intended to have its literal Latin meaning- Bringer of Light. Or Illuminator” (Brown 49). By adding the extra background knowledge that the Latin definition of Lucifer is bringer of light or the Illuminator. One can infer hat the Illuminati did not have Satanic backgrounds but is framed to by the Catholic Church. Thus amplification in this paragraph successfully helped the reader make connections to the Illuminati's real past, bridging the text and interactivity of the reader, ultimately showing this Postmodern theme. In closing, the use of amplification in Angels and Demons gives the reader the basis for an interactive understanding.
Angels and Demons is a prime example of a late Postmodern text, consequently it utilizes almost every element of Postmodernism. Throughout the plot there are plenty of examples of a necessity for reader interactivity and the progression of technology seen through most perspectives of the characters. Brown uses the literary devices of amplification, diction and narrative structure to show the Postmodern themes of interactivity, technology and a multiplicity of points of view. Therefore ultimately proving Dan Brown is a Postmodern writer.
Citations:
1) Angels and Demons Novel
Brown, Dan. Angels & Demons. New York: Random House Large Print, 2000. Print.
2) Elements of English 12 Textbook
Harper, Sue, Douglas Hilker, and Peter J. Smith. Elements of English 12. Toronto: Harcourt Canada, 2002. Print.
3) Literary-Devices.com
Kilpatrick, Sean. Literary Devices | Definitions & Examples. Web. 12 Dec. 2011. <http://literary-devices.com>.\
4) Heart of Darkness Wikipedia Article (Background Info.)
Rice, Spencer. "Heart of Darkness." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 12 Dec. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_of_Darkness>.
5) Pie Graph Generator
Create A Graph." National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Home Page, a Part of the U.S. Department of Education. Web. 16 Dec. 2011. <http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/default.aspx?ID=3e2492e2d077494a8e8a0ddcf15a68cb>.
